Site Report: USCG Biorka Island LORAN
| Site Name: | USCG Biorka Island LORAN |
|---|---|
| Address: | W Side of Biorka Island, ~15 Miles SW of Sitka, Sitka, AK 99835 |
| File Number: | 1542.38.003 |
| Hazard ID: | 25426 |
| Status: | Active |
| Staff: | Sophia Bracio, 9074511682 sophia.bracio@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 56.856264 |
| Longitude: | -135.554562 |
| Horizontal Datum: | WGS84 |
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We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.
Problems/Comments
The former United States Coast Guard (USCG) Biorka Island Long Range Navigation (LORAN) facility was constructed in 1952 and operated by the USCG until 1985. From 1985 to 1992 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operated a non-directional beacon at the former LORAN tower, but land ownership was retained by the USCG. The facility consisted of a main quonset hut area comprised of two quonset huts, one used as a maintenance shop/signal/generator/power building (including a 250-gallon fuel overflow aboveground storage tank (AST)), and the other as a barracks, a LORAN antenna system, a tank farm with two 7,000-gallon diesel ASTs, one 3,700-gallon gasoline AST, and associated piping, a sewage plant/incinerator building, a small quonset hut, and a small storage building. The tank farm was reportedly decommissioned in 1994 and by 1999 all buildings and tanks had been removed, but a 2004 satellite photo appeared to show remaining structures. Sample results from October 2000 (as reported in the January 2001 Draft Release Investigation Report) include: Surface soil from the tank farm contained DRO up to 450,000 mg/kg, GRO up to 580 mg/kg, RRO up to 210,000 mg/kg. Surface soil from the pipeline fill point and valve contained DRO up to 120,000 mg/kg, and RRO up to 9,800 mg/kg; sediment contained DRO up to 730,000 mg/kg. Sediment from around the signal/generator building overflow tank contained DRO up to 860 mg/kg. Additionally, one or more of the following: toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and lead were detected in surface soil at the above locations, but were below cleanup levels. During 2014, a Limited Removal Action was conducted including an investigation and partial cleanup project on ten AOC areas. The sludge/oil and water samples from catch basins and manholes contained high POL (DRO & RRO) and metals, so as the soil surrounding these areas. But due to the failure of TCLP lead analyses, the contaminated soil was not removed in these areas since it was out of the USACE's contract SOW. Drums with observed tar in Debris areas were excavated and disposed. Contamination of high POL (GRO, DRO & RRO), metals, PAHs and BTEX were found. Drums, drum contents (tar) and some impacted soil were removed. For information regarding the work done by FAA on this site, see file no. 1542.38.001 and Hazard ID 1761.
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10/2009 | Site Added to Database | A new site has been added to the database | Mitzi Read |
| 7/14/2009 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78792 name: USCG Biorka Island LORAN | Mitzi Read |
| 7/15/2013 | Site Visit | Inspected site during visit to FAA facility and inspection of cleanup work at Biorka. Abandoned fuel lines are still in place and impacted vegetation observed. USCG was notified but no work scheduled at this time. | Fred Vreeman |
| 7/1/2015 | Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other | Reviewed FAA report on Biorka and updated electronic file with site visit photos. Re-ranked site with ETM. Still high priority due to gross contamination but exposures controlled by limited access through FAA facility. No residential use observed. | Fred Vreeman |
| 8/7/2015 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78792 USCG Biorka Island LORAN. | Fred Vreeman |
| 9/4/2015 | Update or Other Action | USACE submitted a final Fort Pierce CON/HTRW 2014 RA report at Biorka Island, which summarized the limited site removal action in April-May 2014 completed at the site. Ten AOCs were investigated consisting of sampling of vaults, traps, tanks, basins, ponds, debris areas and soil displaying staining or potential contamination. AOCs also included examination of a concrete pad suspected to contain PCB. The contaminated soils and debris were excavated and removed. USACE claimed that the Powerhouse and Powerhouse Vault were outside the FUDS boundary and hence were not included in the field efforts in 2014. Jessica Morris/ADEC reviewed the report and stated in a letter to USACE that some of the comments were not sufficiently addressed as documented in Appendix N. ADEC requested further site characterization. | Linda (Qi) Liu |
| 10/7/2015 | Update or Other Action | Location on GIS found to be incorrect for this site. Location corrected. | Fred Vreeman |
| 2/29/2016 | Update or Other Action | ADEC agreed that CON/HTRW was closed based on the understanding that a separate HTRW project is planned and will include additional site characterization and necessary cleanup. | Linda (Qi) Liu |
| 4/26/2016 | Update or Other Action | Site reassigned for evaluation of cleanup requirements, and follow up by project manager for FAA Biorka sites. USCG has not responded to requests for further work at this site although they did recognize their RP status for the facility. | Fred Vreeman |
| 3/16/2018 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78792 USCG Biorka Island LORAN. | Linda (Qi) Liu |
| 3/15/2019 | Meeting or Teleconference Held | Per the USCG meeting, they may have money in 2020 to address the site - work in 2021. There is also a nearby FUDS removal action planned. | Danielle Duncan |
| 5/15/2024 | Meeting or Teleconference Held | Teleconference held with USCG and DEC to discuss active USCG contaminated sites and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) renewal. | Sophia Bracio |
Contaminant Information
| Name | Level Description | Media | Comments |
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Control Type
| Type | Details |
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Requirements
| Description | Details |
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There are no documents for this site report.
| Hazard ID | Site Name | File Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1761 | FAA Biorka Island Station (VORTAC) | 1542.38.001 |